Eleven-time world champion, Manny Pacquiao has lost his WBO welterweight world title to Jeff Horn in a stunning, unanimous points decision.
Pacquiao came into today’s bout billed as the Battle of Brisbane in front of more than 51,000 people as a hot favorite but got more than he bargained for against the 29-year-old former schoolteacher.
Pacquiao, who entered the fight with a record of 59-6-2, 38 knockouts, was defending the WBO title he won on points against Jessie Vargas last November.
Though Pacquiao dominated the later rounds, Horn — unbeaten in his 17 previous professional fights — applied pressure by winning some of the early rounds.
The judges scored the fight 117-111, 115-113 and 115-113, and Horn declared himself “no joke.”
Speaking after the bout, Horn said: “I felt buzzed for sure, but I’m the Hornet — I’ve got to come back,” Horn said of that round. “I’m not a quitter. Australians aren’t quitters to start with. We’ve showed we’re winners.
“It was the battle of Brisbane, that’s for sure. Absolutely unbelievable. So pumped.”
Horn has also said he cannot see Pacquiao retiring anytime soon, adding that: “I’m sure he’ll want to come back. It was a close decision and I’m sure he’ll want to come back and prove himself,” Horn said.
Also speaking after the bout, top rank promoter Bob Arum said there was a clause for a rematch, but he’d give it time before talking to Pacquiao about it.
“I know Jeff would welcome the rematch, but I don’t know Manny’s future position,” Arum said. “Is he going to stay in politics and not continue in boxing? I don’t know, and he doesn’t know now — it’s unfair to ask him now.”
Meanwhile, Pacquiao’s camp had talked about a rematch with Mayweather should he win Horn, hoping to avenge his loss on points in the 2015 mega fight, but that seems to be a distant chance now after his defeat to Horn.
